Roof Types

by Fred on April 3, 2013

Trident Roofing:Basic Types of Roof

Not known to us is that our roofs have a science behind its construction. Every minute detail is considered when building our roofs. Roofing materials are selected in consideration of the location of the house, the climate and a lot more. One thing more that surprises me is that the shape of the roof is also a very important thing to consider in its construction. Roofers like Trident Roofing construct the roof in a specific shape according to what our homes need. Here are some examples of common roof shapes to further educate us:

Gabled Type Roof- This kind of roof shape is the most common roof that roofing contractors like Trident Roofing put up. It has two roof surfaces of the same size, that are pitched at the same angle back to back, making a ridge at the top and forming a triangular roof. Its simple design makes it popular among homeowners because it is cheap and easy to build. It effectively sheds water, allows for good ventilation, and typically provides the most ceiling space. But it is not recommended for high wind areas.

Flat Roofs- In contrast to the sloped form of a roof, a flat roof is horizontal or nearly horizontal. A flat roof is the most cost-efficient roof shape as all room space can be used fully. Materials that cover flat roofs should allow the water to run off freely from a very slight inclination or else water will pool on the roof that can eventually lead to leaks.

Hip Type Roof- Roofing contractors like Trident Roofing find this type of roof harder to construct than gabled type roofs. It does not have flat sides like the gable roof instead all sides of the roof slope down to meet the walls of the house. Also unlike gabled type roofs hip roofs arevery good for homes in high wind or hurricane areas as they offer better internal bracing and are less likely to be peeled from the house as a gable end.

Skillion or Shed roof- A skillion or shed roof is normally a single sloping roof surface, not attached to another roof surface. It is a generally the cheapest and easiest roof to build that you won’t even have to get Trident Roofing to construct your roof. This roof type is associated with home additions, sheds, and porches.

These are just some roof shapes to get us into the basics of roof construction. So next time you need your roof to be done, you can now understand some of the basics making you less naive and harder to be fooled by roofers by logging in their website at www.tridentroofing.com

About the author: Trident Roofing Company works with residential and commercial customers to achieve total satisfaction for their roofing needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION:
Best roof types for an eco friendly house?
What Type of roof design is best for an eco friendly house? Would a gable roof be better for the house, or a flat roof, ETC…? And why would it be better?

ANSWER:
less wood required for a flat roof. and you can collect the water that drains off it. it also makes a good place to put solar panels 🙂

QUESTION:
can we divide roof types roofs into three categories depending on their inclination angle?
I dont know US standards that well. It is usually mentioned there are low-slope roofs and steep roofs. Flat roofs are explained as part of low-slope roofs.
In my country, we categorize them as:
Flat Roofs: inclination up to 5 degrees.
Low-slope roofs: inclination angle between 5 and 40 degrees.
Steep Roofs: inclination angle 40 degrees and above.

I am writing a short paper on roof styles depending on their slopes. How should I categorize them?

ANSWER:
I would say that in the US a low slope roof would be from flat up to about 4″ in 12″; medium slope from 4:12 to 8:12, and anything above 8:12 would be called steeply pitched.

Although the pitch of a roof is important, more important is the type of roof, for example — gabled, hipped, gambrel, mansard, etc. Frequently the appropriate pitch of a roof is dictated by the type of design selected.

QUESTION:
Edward Humphrey wants to know…How does the weight of a metal roof compare to other types of roofing?
Edward Humphrey wants to know…How does the weight of a metal roof compare to other types of roofing?

asphalt shingles weigh starting at 240 pounds per sq and go up to 375 pounds per square.

QUESTION:
what to look for in roof types when adding a sunroom to our home in Oklahoma.?

ANSWER:
The type and pitch of the roof is going to depend largely on the building that it’s attached to. As for the covering, obviously you’ll want it to match the existing roofing as closely as possible.

QUESTION:roof types – dual pitched?
hi i need to know the technical term for a particular type of roof if you guys can help – it looks like a normal pitched roof but at the bottom the pitch reduces. im not sure if its a mansard roof but i think thats where the pitch is greater at the bottom than the top???
Thanks!!

ANSWER:
Sounds like a hip roof with an extended lean-to.
The Hip portion has a greater pitch that blends into the lean-to portion with less pitch.